ROYSTON TOWN vs STRATFORD TOWN - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - SATURDAY 9th APRIL 2022

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs STRATFORD TOWN FC Saturday 9th April 2022 Kick Off: 3pm

Royston Town FC would like to welcome today's opponents Stratford Town FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Division Central fixture.

We wish their Players, Officials and Supporters an enjoyable afternoon and hope that the match will be a keenly contested and entertaining game.

We also welcome today’s Match Officials and hope they too have an enjoyable game.

TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR:

Royston Town Football Club President Chairman Secretary

Founded 1875 Alan Barlow Steve Jackson Terry McKinnell 9 Valley Rise, Royston, Herts SG8 9EY 07772 086709

Treasurer Welfare Officer Fixture Secretary Executive Board

Webmaster Programme Editors Official Photographer

email: secretary@roystontownfc.co.uk Jeff Gill Angela Baulk Steve Endacott (07971 512402) Trevor Burrows, Andy Toovey, Eric Joyce, David Baulk, Angela Baulk, Chris Coote, Duncan Easley, Giles Parnwell, Neil MacLeod, Matt Clowery Steve Endacott Angela Baulk, Neil MacLeod Kevin Richards

Football Management Team First Team Manager First Team Asst Manager Reserve Team Manager U18 Team Managers Women's Team Manager Vets Team Manager

Steve Castle Chris Watters Lewis Endacott Dan Evans/Matt Campany Lewis Endacott Lee Wilkinson

Ground

Garden Walk, Royston, Herts SG8 7HP Telephone (01763) 241204

Colours

First XI Reserves U18 Women's Vets

White/Black/White White/Black/White White/Black/Black White/Black/White White/Black/Black

Members of: The Hertfordshire Football Association Southern League Premier Division The Herts Senior County League Thurlow Nunn Youth League Eastern Region Women’s Football League The Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Ladies League Royston Town Football Club is an unincorporated association controlled by its members under the Constitution of RTFC

CLUB HONOURS WINNERS Herts County League (Div I) 1969-70, 1972-73 Herts County League (Premier Div) 1976-1977 South Midlands League (Div I) 1977-1978 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II) 1978-1979 South Midlands Reserve League (Div I) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) League Cup, 1978-79, 1979-1980 Herts Charity Shield, 1981-82, 1989-90, 1996-1997 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1988-1989 Chiltern Youth League (Div I) 1989-1990 South Combinations Reserve Floodlight Cup, 1992-1993 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1992-1993 South Midlands Challenge Trophy, 1995-1996 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div II) 1998-1999 Eastern Counties Youth League Cup, 2001-2002 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2004-2005 KB Tyres Division III Champions 2006-2007 South Midlands League (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands League Cup (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands Floodlit Cup 1994-1995 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II East) 2008-2009 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2008-2009 KB Tyres Division I League Cup 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup 2009-2010 BIS Cambs League Division 2A 2010/2011 BIS Cambs League Divisional Champions 2010/2011 Veterans Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup 2010/2011 South Midlands Premier League 2011/2012 South Midlands Premier League Cup 2011/2012 Suburban League North Division 2012/2013, 2013/2014 Joint Winners of the Hinchingbrooke Cup 2013 Eastern Region Women’s League Plate 2013/2014, 2014/15 Suburban Premier League 2015-16 Eastern Region Women’s League Division 1 West 2015/16 Southern League Div 1 Central 2016/17 Southern League Challenge Cup 2021/22 RUNNERS UP South Midlands Challenge Cup, 1978-1979 Herts Charity Shield, 1978-79, 1998-99, 2004-05, 2008-2009 South Midlands League (Premier Div) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div III) 1981-1982 North Herts (Div II) 1982-1983 South Midlands Res Section Trophy, 1982-1983 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1986-87, 1988-1989 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1989-1990 Herts County Youth Cup, 1992-1993 North Herts (Div I), 1993-1994 South Midlands Floodlit Cup, 1995-1996 Herts F.A. Women’s Cup, 1998-99, 2001-2002 2013/14 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div I) 1999-2000, 2013/2014 2014/15 Eastern Junior Plate, 2001-2002 KB Tyres Division I 2008-2009, 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Trophy 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserves Floodlit Cup 2010/2011 Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup 2013/2014 Eastern Region Women’s League, League Cup 2014/15 Southern League Division 1 Central 2014/15 2015/16

WHO'S GOT WHO? Today's other fixtures SATURDAY 9th APRIL 2022 Barwell v Banbury United Bromsgrove Sporting v Needham Market Coalville Town v AFC Rushden & Diamonds Hednesford Town v Alvechurch Lowestoft Town v Tamworth Nuneaton Borough v Hitchin Town Peterborough Sports v Biggleswade Town Redditch United v Leiston St Ives Town v Stourbridge

It’s been a while due to the pandemic and the curtailment of the past two seasons but it’s that time again when we need your votes for your Supporter’s Player of The Season.

Please either complete one of the voting slips [see below], available on the turnstile today or at our final home game against Biggleswade Town on Monday 18th April or email your nomination to Alan Barlow directly at the following email address: president@roystontownfc.co.uk

Voting closes on the 30th of April and the winner will be announced at the club’s presentation evening on Thursday 2nd June.

Tickets for our 2022 presentation evening tickets are now on sale. The cost is £20 per person and this includes a BBQ Buffet and dessert option.

Tickets can be purchased at the Clubhouse bar or by contacting Lauren Chappel at: laurenRTFC@gmail.com

SO WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN? The history of Royston Town FC After some intensive research, the evidence is that the club came into existence in 1875 making Royston the third oldest Club in Hertfordshire after Hitchin and Bishop Stortford.

The Club’s very first honour came in 1911/12 when they won the Creake Charity Shield beating Wisbech 1-0 in extra time.

The Club’s first major honour in more recent times came in the guise of promotion to the Herts County Premier League in 1969/70 and they went on to be champions in 1972/73 and 1976/77. In 1978 we rejoined the South Midlands League and won the Division One title at the first time of asking. Success continued with a final appearance in the Herts Charity Shield for the first time in 1979 and runners up spot in the South Midlands League Premier Division in 1980. The Herts Charity Shield was won in 1981/82 and two years later the Club joined the Isthmian League Division Two North where we remained for 10 seasons before returning to the South Midlands League in 1994.

After a period in the doldrums that culminated in relegation from the South Midlands League Premier Division at the end of 2006/07, Paul Attfield was appointed manager with ex-Spurs favourite Tony Galvin returning to Garden Walk 1st Team Coach in November 2007.

Paul immediately set about building a new 1st Team squad and a run of 17 games undefeated saw the Club move from the bottom of the table to finish in 5th place in the League.

The foundations had been laid for the 2008/09 season and the first team took the South Midlands Division One League title with one of the best sets of stats for any Step 6 Club in the country W33, D4, L3, GF138, GA30, GD+108, PTS 103.

The 2011/2012 season will be seen as a watershed in our history with winning the South Midlands Premier Division title and promotion to Step 4 in the shape of the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central.

In our first season back at Step 4 after an absence of 19 years, it was hard to know what to expect and how we would perform. Most of our supporters felt a mid-table position would be an acceptable target for the season, but we quickly found ourselves exceeding all expectations as our performances propelled us towards the top of the table. Four straight wins in the first four games set the tone and a run of nine wins with just one defeat between October and December saw us maintain a play-off position. In the very last game of the season a playoff was still a possibility and having gone 2-1 up away at AFC Hayes with just a few minutes of the game left it looked a near certainty. But it was not to be as Hayes scored an 87-minute equaliser and our play-off place was lost.

In our second season at this level, our steady progress to claim a place in the playoff zone was given a severe jolt when Paul Attfield announced his resignation as first team manager due to ill health at the beginning of November. The search for his replacement began almost immediately and we were inundated with applications from some very well know and successful managers. After an exhaustive selection process, the Board appointed Steve Castle at the end of November and on Boxing Day Steve officially took over securing a 0 – 0 draw against the League’s form team and eventual champions Dunstable Town.

Our 2014/15 season opener was at home against one of the promotion favourites Rugby Town but an impressive team display ensured their threat was stifled and we ran out winners 2 -1. That victory really did set things buzzing but we were quickly brought back down to earth when on the following Tuesday night Bedworth United were the visitors winning the game 3 – 1.

As we all know consistency in performances provides the key to long term success and although the early stages of the season produced good results against the likes of Daventry Town and Beaconsfield these were punctuated by dismal performances against the likes of Aylesbury and Egham Town. From mid-November to mid-December We really lost our way with six defeats in seven games but our rollercoaster ride saw an incredible run of form over the Christmas period and into the New Year with five straight wins which helped us maintain a position in the playoff places.

On a miserable Tuesday evening in February, we travelled to lowly AFC Hayes and after an abject performance, we lost the game 2 – 0. This prompted our Chairman to tell Steve Castle that he had given up on this team making the play–offs and said that we should start preparing instead for next season. That message was conveyed to players and we witnessed a most remarkable transformation in our results with a 14 game unbeaten run during which we scored 29 goals and conceded just seven resulting in us achieving the runners up spot to league champions Kettering Town and securing our place in the playoff semi-final where we met local rivals Barton Rovers.

After an incident-packed 90 minutes and extra time the game ended in a goalless draw but it was not to be our night and we lost the shoot out 4-5 and had to suffer the agony of all the emotions which go with being defeated in this way.

We started the 2015/16 season strongly and between the end of December and the end of March we produced a rich vein of form with only one defeat in 14 games and this ensured we were sitting on top of the league with just 7 games to go and with the expectation that we could win promotion outright ran high throughout the whole club. However, three games in succession proved our downfall when we could only draw 0 – 0 with Bedford and lost to Egham away 3- 1 and Godalming at home 1- 0 and once again we ended up in the play offs against AFC Rushden but we failed to turn up and went out tamely to our opponents 2 - 1.

Having finished runners up for two years in succession Steve Castle was determined to make it third time lucky and began to recruit some experienced new blood in the shape of John Frendo and Adam Murray whilst at the same time giving youngsters Gus Scott Morris and Josh Castiglione extended runs in the first team.

However, the season didn’t start well and after four games we’d only mustered five points whilst promotion rivals Farnborough just couldn’t stop winning. Although results did improve, defeat in the FA Cup to Heybridge Swifts 4 – 1 and a thrashing by Barton Rovers at home 6 – 3 at the end of September didn’t do a great of good for our confidence.

Things took a dramatic turn thereafter with 12 successive league wins which ended with defeat 2-1 at Kidlington in early January 2017, interspersed by a magnificent run in the FA Trophy including a victory against Step 2 outfit Hampton and Richmond Borough before in the replay against Dulwich Hamlet we eventually went down 1 -0.

With cup football out of the way, the team put together an incredible run of 16 league games undefeated including a 5 – 0 thrashing of closest rivals Farnborough which saw us maintain the top spot until the end of the season by a margin of 12 points and the highest number of goals scored, 120, across all three Evostik Leagues.

Promotion to the Southern Premier League means that the Club was playing at the highest level in its 142-year history!

Season 2017/18 saw The Crows exceed all expectations in our first season at Step 3. Throughout the season we managed to maintain our hopes of a play-off place until they were finally put to bed with two successive defeats against the eventual play-off winners Slough Town and we had to be satisfied with a seventh-place finish. The signing of Adam Marriott, a proven goal scorer who had played for Lincoln City, Stevenage and Cambridge United was without a doubt a real coup and he was to play a key role in the progress made by the Club by becoming our leading marksman with 31 goals. A good run in the FA Trophy with wins against Enfield Town and Leatherhead came to an end against Eastbourne Borough when having managed to draw at their place we lost the replay on penalties. We managed to get to the final of the Herts Senior Cup where we played Borehamwood from Step 2 and in spite of a brave performance we never really had the power to compete and lost 2 – 1.

Given where we had started from we definitely exceeded our own and many other peoples’ expectations and this has provided us with the building blocks to face this season in the newly constituted Southern Premier Central League.

Season 2018/19 saw us finishing in a respectable 9th position in what proved to be a very strong Premier Division Central. During February/March we recorded six wins out of seven league games to give us a faint hope of a playoff spot, but three straight defeats in April put paid to our chances.

We suffered another early at AFC Sudbury in the FA Cup and in the FA Trophy we progressed through two rounds before being beaten in a replay at Needham Market.

Season 2019/20 will go down in the Club’s history as one of the most successful and exciting but ultimately one which ended in bitter disappointment.

Steve Castle was quick to ensure we had players who were proven goal scorers and the arrival of Matt Bateman, Brandon Adams and Claudio Ofosu did not disappoint. Perhaps the only sadness that our young and highly talented left wing-back Joe Newton had created so much interest from EFL Clubs that in the end, it was inevitable he would have to leave us and Joe was signed by Coventry City.

No Crows fans will ever forget the team's brilliant performances in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy and although our FA Cup run ended with defeat to the very talented Maldon and Tiptree in front of what was then a record crowd for Garden Walk of 1152. The interest generated in the Crows both locally and beyond was immense and set the scene for what was to come in the FA Trophy. It all started with very comfortable wins against Brightlingsea Regent and Haywards Heath and then were drawn away at Step 2 table-topping Wealdstone which for many was one of the games of the season as Royston shot into a 2- 0 lead before Wealdstone hit back to pull the tie level 2-2. In spite of being under constant pressure, the Crows mounted a great counterattack down the left and the cross was despatched by Brandon Adams to give the Crow’s victory 3-2. What followed was truly historic with home wins against Step 2 teams Boreham Wood 2-0, Chester 3-0 and away at National League Ebbsfleet 2-0, to set up a quarter-final tie away at Concord Rangers. In the run-up to the game, the rain had been falling heavily but our opponents declared the pitch playable and the invasion of six coach loads of Royston supporters and a convoy of cars and mini-buses descended on Canvey Island. As we started arriving for the kick-off the match referee declared the pitch unplayable and with a sense of extreme disappointment and also a lot of anger we all returned home. The following Tuesday the game went ahead but it was not to be and we were defeated 2-1. There is no doubt the Clubs achievements in the FA Trophy marked a watershed in our history which will be remembered for a very long time.

Running alongside the cup success it was easy to forget that we had got ourselves in contention to win the League with a run of only two defeats in 20 league fixtures. With 3 games in hand and only 2 points behind Peterborough Sports and Tamworth and playing some of our best football, we looked nailed on to win the League. Then out of the blue, the Covid crisis hit all levels of football and with what many felt was indecent haste the League decided to null and void the whole season.

All our achievements were suddenly for nothing and the taste of bitter disappointment amongst all supporters of the Crows was very hard to swallow.

Season 2020/21: As the pandemic took hold it seemed like the chances of seeing a new season start were remote but by summer 2020 there had been a massive improvement and by July the lockdown ended albeit with a host of restrictions in place.

By the time we had assembled a squad, we were without key players such as Matt Bateman who moved to Hemel Hempstead and Claudio Ofosu who joined Hartlepool and with a lot of the momentum and energy generated by the now-defunct season now dissipated we were finding it hard to get going again. In the League, we seemed to slip into the habit of conceding goals when in a winning position and a string of draws meant we languished in the lower half of the division.

The FA cup again promised to provide excitement with wins against Newmarket, Wroxham and AFC Stamford before losing to our old rivals Bishops Stortford. We won our first two ties in the FA Trophy against Hythe Town and Tamworth before going out 3-2 away at Brackley by which time the League season was yet again declared null and void as the second wave of Covid took its stranglehold.

A comprehensive history of the Club can be found in The History of Royston Town FC 1875 2012 first published in 2013. The book was written by the Club’s President, Alan Barlow following more than five years of painstaking research and can be purchased via the Club.

Verity Grainger is a teacher at Tannery Drift First School and she was recently diagnosed with an ultra-rare life-shortening genetic condition called MNGIE (mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy).

MNGIE affects around just 200 people worldwide! This genetic condition blocks the production a particular enzyme, causing a build-up of metabolites in the blood that damages mitochondria. MNGIE is an unmerciful condition that impacts many areas of the body and causes it to slowly degenerate.

Unfortunately, there is no proven treatment for this condition. The only unsubstantiated option we have been given is to attempt a bone marrow transplantation, which comes with considerable risk. A previous trial of this was overwhelmingly unsuccessful and the results make for grim reading.

There is, however, a safer treatment known as enzyme replacement therapy, which has previously been used in trials to treat this condition with promising results. Regular infusions of enzymes would be needed around every 4-6 weeks to allow the body to perform the function it cannot do on its own, i.e., being able to remove the mitochondria-damaging metabolites from the bloodstream.

This treatment has been approved for compassionate use, but comes at a huge cost, estimated to be around £500,000! We understand that this is an enormous sum of money if 50,000 people were to give £10 or 100,000 people gave £5, then we would achieve our goal. We ask if you can spare any donation we would be eternally grateful!

Verity Grainger is truly an incredible and inspirational lady. Despite her condition, she continues to teach at Tannery Drift First School, where she is an adored teacher, usually of Year 1 pupils, but more recently Year 3. Throughout the pandemic, she has put her life at risk to ensure her children are looked after and supported. She is a beloved friend to many and is also the most fantastic mother to her son!

If you have taken the time to read to this point, thank you so much! Please consider helping Verity and her family! Please give Verity the chance to see her son grow up! Please buy us some time for a permanent cure to become available!

DONATE HERE https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/compassionate-treatment-for-mngie

SCORES ON THE DOORS! LEAGUE TABLE PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL DIVISION

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/southern-football-league-premier-central-division

National Game Awards Return!

By Matt Badcock, Editor in Chief

WHEN I think back to those slightly strange March 2020 days where we knew Covid was about to have a large impact on our everyday lives, let alone Non-League football, for some reason The NLP’s National Game Awards stick in the mind.

We were all set to launch the build-up for the 2019-20 season but, in that ever-changing world, decided at the last minute to press the pause button.

Let’s see what happens, we thought, and hopefully, it won’t be long before we can kick it off. It soon became apparent we wouldn’t be holding the annual event!

Eventually, we did virtual awards, while last season we decided not to at all. Although Step 1 completed a season - mostly behind closed doors - of course, the majority of Non-League hadn’t played much past October.

But, after two disrupted seasons, the finish line is in sight for all. Titles are being won, promotions are being decided, and we’re delighted to launch our NGAs again. And we need you! The awards are what they are because of the loyal support of our readers across the country.

So, please, let us know who you think deserves to be honoured in our categories.

Although the date and venue are yet to be confirmed (keep your eyes peeled shortly), we can announce that Buildbase are once again our title sponsor this year, adding The NGAs to their current sponsorship of the FA Vase and FA Trophy. We’re hugely grateful for their support and we’re working closely with Buildbase for our much-loved Unsung Hero Award.

Pitching In, title sponsors of the Northern Premier, Southern and Isthmian Leagues, are backing our Step 3-4 Player of the Year, while Our Game Football will honour our Player of the Year.

Huck Nets have once again put their name to the Goal of the Season accolade, while Reusch are also back — they couldn’t miss the chance to crown the season’s Goalkeeper of the Year.

S&C Slatter returns as well and they will once again present the Manager of the Year award while The Acerbis Cup Run of the year is always a hotly contested award.

Our friends at Sportsbeat sign up once again – they didn’t need to be asked twice to support the Young Player of the Year.

We love the William Hill Fan of the Year category and again we need your help with this one, while the SK Kits Team of the Year award honours one side for their herculean efforts this season.

The FA are supporting the Community Club of the Year, while The NLP Lifetime Achievement award is one of our personal favourites.

Football Supporters’ Association Away Day Experience of the year recognises the efforts clubs make to cater for travelling fans.

Keep an eye on The NLP over the coming weeks as we bring you award-by-award guides as well as all the information you need to ensure the decanters end up in the right hands!

WHO'S WHO OF THE CROWS Joe Welch (Goalkeeper) Joined us from Chelmsford City in 2016/17, Joe started his career at Southend United before joining Histon where he played over 50 games and earned a loan deal at Stevenage. Joe’s other clubs include Ebbsfleet, Bromley and St Albans City.

Ed Asafu-Adjaye (Defender) Versatile defender who re-joined the Crows in 2019 after spending a season at Hayes & Yeading. Started his playing career at Luton Town and broke into the 1st team during the 2008/9 season. In total he made 64 appearances for The Hatters before moving to Forest Green Rovers and then to Hemel Hempstead Town.

Adam Murray (Defender) Adam joined us at the beginning of 2017/18, having spent the previous two seasons at Cambridge City where he made 60 appearances. He quickly settled into the squad and has proved to be a formidable addition for the Crows.

Ronnie Henry (Defender) Signed for the Crows at the beginning of this season after spending a season at Billericay Town. Ronnie was a product of the Spurs youth system, before going on to play 502 games for Stevenage (the club’s all-time record appearances) in two spells either side of two seasons at Luton Town.

Daniel Brathwaite (Defender) Club skipper, Dan joined the Crows from Chesham United for the start of 2015/16.

He is an experienced defender whose former clubs include Boreham Wood and Dover Athletic.

Dan Newton (Defender) Joined the Crows early into season 2020/21, Centre-Back Dan's previous clubs were Biggleswade FC and Northwood. He is a calm and confident defender and cousin of former Crow Joe Newton.

James Brighton (Defender) Experienced full-back who joined us in November 2019 from Kettering Town, where he had spent a successful four seasons. James has previously played for Hemel Hempstead Town, Cambridge City & Cambridge United.

Spyros Mentis (Midfield) Versatile, hard-working and tough-tackling midfielder or defender, Spyros re-joined The Crows in 2018/19 after a season away at Hayes & Yeading, he previously played just under 100 games for us from 2013 during his first spell at Garden Walk.

Tom Newman (Midfield) Joined the Crows at the start of 2018/19, Tom has impressed when called upon and has chipped in with some useful goals from midfield.

Isa Rotimi (Midfield) Young midfielder who signed for the Crows at the beginning of season 2019/20, Isa previously spent two seasons at Colney Heath.

Dan Green (Midfield) Joined us in December 2018 from Chesham United, Dan is an experienced midfielder whose other previous clubs include St Albans City and Dunstable Town.

Brandon Adams (Forward) Signed for the Crows in 2019, Brandon previously spent four years at Queens Park Rangers which included loan deals at Malaysian club Perlis and Linfield in Northern Ireland. After leaving the R’s in 2018 Brandon dropped into non-league hoping to catch the eye of pro clubs and has certainty impressed. After a short stint at Enfield Town he moved to Ware in 2018/19 and bagged an impressive 23 league goals in 25 games.

Isaac Galliford (Forward) Previously with Hitchin Town, St Neots Town & Hemel Hempstead after starting out with Luton Town. Isaac signed for us for the beginning of last season. Whilst with The Canaries Isaac’s performances earned him an England ‘C’ call-up.

Matt Bateman (Forward) Re-joined us for the start this season from Hemel Hempstead, where he spent last season after moving from the Crows. Matt signed for the Crows at the start of season 2019/20 and scored an impressive 24 goals in 41 games during that season to earn his move to Hemel. Previous to that Matt played a big part in Berkhamsted’s push for promotion in 2018/19 where he netted 43 times in 54 appearances for The Comrades.

Harry Draper (Forward) Signed for the Crows on loan from Stevenage at the start of this season. Harry has been with Stevenage from the age of eight, he signed his first professional deal at Boro’ in summer 2019 and then spent that season on loan at Hitchin Town.

Finlay Titchmarsh (Defender) Young defender who signed for the Crows at the beginning of this season, Finlay was originally with Barnet before having spells with Staines Town and Ware.

Marcus Goldbourne (Forward) The 20-year-old pacey winger or striker came through the Stevenage U18 ranks and spent time on loan at Dunstable Town whilst on Boro`s books. Also had a brief spell in Swedish football with Ytterhagdaka IK before returning to the UK signing for Hitchin Town. In the summer he signed for Braintree Town and had a loan spell with Brightlingsea Regent.

Rhamar Garrett-Douglas (Defender) Young defender who started his career at Barnet and was a regular in their U18s. He was previously at Bishop's Stortford and has also had spells with Maldon & Tiptree and Hullbridge Sports.

Carl Mensah (Defender) 25 year-old towering central defender who joined the Crows from Welwyn Garden City at the end of November. His previous clubs include Bedford Town, Harpenden Town, Kempston Rovers, Tring Athletic, Cockfosters and Colney Heath.

Dimitrios Kyriatzis (Goalkeeper) A recent addition to the Crows squad having joined us from Bedfont Sports. Dimi's previous clubs include Brentford and Inter Leipzig.

TODAY'S OPPONENTS Stratford Town FC Club History Stratford Town were formed in 1941, but it wasn't until the mid 50’s when they joined the Worcestershire Combination that they had any success on the pitch.

In their first season, Stratford finished 4th. In 1956 Stratford were runners-up and the following year they won the title by 5 points from Wolverhampton Wanderers. In 1955-56 Stratford reached the Challenge Cup Final, but were beaten by Bromsgrove Rovers. Between 1954 and 1957 the club played 102 games, winning 65, drawing 15 and losing 21, scoring 313 goals and conceded 138. As a result, Stratford decided to join the Birmingham and District League and were in Div. 2 for 3 years, before the League was reorganised. It was a very strong League and Stratford’s fortunes slipped, although they did win the Birmingham Senior Cup beating Lockheed Leamington in the Final 2-1 in 1963, the game was played at Moor Green, and Sid Keenan scored both goals.

In 1970-71 Stratford went back to the Midland Combination, where they stayed for 5 seasons before joining the Hellenic League. In their first season, they finished 10th but the next year they finished bottom and they went back to the Midland Combination. However, lack of success continued as they finished with only 13 points and were relegated to Div.2. Being relegated gave the Club time to regroup and within 3 years they were back in the premier Division. After winning the League in 1987, Stratford applied to join the southern League, but the Ground was not up to standard. A new Club House and Changing Rooms were built and floodlights were installed in 1990.

In 1994 Stratford were elected as a founder member of the Midland Football Alliance and finished 3rd in their first season and Andy Smith was voted MFA player of the season. In 1997-98 the Club suffered severe financial problems, and a number of local businessmen got together and took over the Club.

Lennie Derby was brought in as manager, but it was not until the 1999-2000 that things improved when they were runners-up to Alliance new boys Oadby Town. The next two seasons saw Stratford setting the pace and sitting top of the table at Christmas. However, spells of bad weather and postponements led to a backlog of fixtures with Town failing to hold onto the top spot.

For the 2002-03 campaign, Stratford were in contention for most of the season with Stourbridge, Rushall Olympic and early pace setters Oadby Town who got to the semi-final of the FA Vase. Stourbridge won the league, but it was not until the last game of the Season that Rushall, pipped Stratford for 2nd place.

Stratford won the League Cup for the first time beating Causeway United 1-0, with Leon Mitchell getting the goal in extra time.

The 2003-04 season got off to a great start, Stratford winning their 2nd trophy in 3 months, beating Stourbridge 1-0 to win the Joe McGorian Cup and Stratford were unbeaten after the first 12 games of the season, winning the Team of the month for August. After 3 mid-season defeats Stratford only lost twice in the next 20 games to keep in the title race, suffering 3 more defeats Town Came back with 5 wins. A win or a draw in the last game of the season against Willenhall at Masons Road would secure 2nd place and promotion but Willenhall won and gained the promotion spot.

The 2004-05 season got off to a great start when Stratford became the first team to retain the League Cup with a 3-1 win over Rushall Olympic in the rearranged Final at Willenhall. However, it was the opposite in the League with Town losing their first 4 League games and were in the relegation zone for the first half of the season. It was a shock when Lennie Derby resigned in January. In his 6 years at the club, he had been close to promotion several times. With his departure Assistant Manager, Ian Britton took charge for the rest of the season.

After being reinstated in the F A Cup after Sutton Coldfield played an ineligible player, Stratford got to the 3rd qualifying round the best they have ever done, but they were beaten 3-0 at Masons Road by Southport and were beaten 3-0 by Sutton Town in the F A Vase.

Stratford striker Craig Pountney won the MFA Golden Boot award for the 2nd time in 4 years, scoring 32 goals, and was supporter’s player of the year.

After a good pre-season build-up to 2005/06 season hopes were high, but this form was not transferred to the new League campaign, despite winning the first two games, results were indifferent and again Stratford were fighting in the lower half of the table.

With a good win against Stourport Swifts in the F A Cup it looked as if things might improve, but no, as Stratford went out of every other cup competition at the first hurdle. With results not improving and not being able to bring in new faces to strengthen the Squad, manager Ian Britton resigned.

Former player Dennis Mulholland was appointed as the new manager. Bringing in a lot of new faces to try and improve results had little effect, as Stratford were still having a mixed bag of results and eventually finished 14th in the League at the end of the season, their lowest position for a number of years.

The 2006/07 season was a successful one for Stratford, finishing 4th in the League and having good runs in the FA Cup and FA Vase. Going out to Conference South side Bishops Stortford away 2-0, in the 3rd qualifying round and losing 2-1 to MFA rivals Quorn 2-1 at Sutton Park in the 4th round respectively.

The 2007 / 2008 season saw the appointment of Micky Moore and Town riding high in the MFA until a disastrous post-Christmas run put an end to any promotion hopes.

The 2008 / 2009 season was Town’s first full one at its new Knights Lane facility and expectations were high for the season ahead. An historic run in the FA Vase ended in 5th round defeat to eventual winners Whitley Bay but again league form was inconsistent. Despite a great run in the last two months Town ended in 6th place having never threatened the top three and manager Micky Moore paid the price at the end of the season. New manager Rod Brown was appointed, with the task of bringing that elusive promotion top of his list of priorities. A first season finish in third place was followed by a dismal start to the 2010 / 2011 season and by September Brown had left.

Former player Morton Titterton replaced Brown, once again a top six finish was gained, along with a fine end of season league cup win over Boldmere St Michaels. The 2011 / 2012 season was again disappointing and Carl Adams was brought in as co-manager for the 2012 / 2013 campaign.

Unfortunately, Morton Titterton had to relinquish his duties leaving Carl Adams in sole charge. Town went top of league in early September and remained there, at one point opening up a 19 point lead. But with the terrible winter causing fixture chaos Town secured the title with 4 games left to play thus ending their 19 season stay in the MFA and promotion to the Southern League Div 1 South & West.

The 2013/14 season saw Town finish in 10th position playing a brand of attacking football that produced 103 goals and the league’s leading goalscorer in Richard Gregory with 39.

The 2014/15 season saw the majority of the previous year’s squad re-signed and together with some additional signings Town made an impressive start hitting the top of the table after 10 consecutive wins.

Despite a poor run of results around the turn of the year they produced a 12 match unbeaten run to secure a 3rd place finish and reach the play off’s. Having overcome Taunton Town 2-1 in the semi-final they beat Lakhall Athletic in the final in front of a ground record crowd of 1054 supporters to gain promotion to the Evostik Southern Premier League.

After winning promotion to the Southern League Premier the 2015/16 season was all about survival. The previous season’s end of season form continued with Town making a bright start to life at the highest level in their history. By Christmas Town were comfortable in mid table but a poor run of form into the new year meant a promising start turned into a 19th place finish. Mission accomplished and onto a tough second season in the Division Season 2016-17 saw Town finish in 14th place and but for 17 drawn games could have a lot higher.

Most of the squad have re-signed for the coming season which in addition to six new signings will hopefully see Town consolidate their position at this level.

Season 2017-18 Town finished in 15th place and at the end of the season Carl Adams decided to move onto Rugby Town. With new investors joining the club former Aston Villa striker Darren Byfield was appointed as the new manager. Unfortunately, his tenure was short lived and former Kettering Town boss Thomas Baillie took over.

Season 2018-19 was their most successful, finishing 5th. making the play offs but losing to Kings Lynn.

They also reached the 1st Round of the FA Trophy for the first time and won the CSS League Cup. At the start of season 2019-20 Tommy Wright took over following the departure of manager Thomas Baillie to Tamworth.

WHO ARE YA? Stratford Town FC Player Pen Pics LIAM O’BRIEN - GOALKEEPER Former England U19 international and had trials with clubs including Manchester United and Arsenal before joining Pompey. Spells at Barnet, Brentford and Dagenham & Redbridge followed. Liam then joined Coventry City and made 11 appearances during the 2017/18 season, with a highlight coming in the FA Cup Third Round as he helped the Sky Blues to beat Premier League side Stoke City at the Ricoh Arena.

LOUIS BERESFORD - GOALKEEPER Talented young goalkeeper with great potential who is a great shot-stopper and has excellent ball distribution alongside an outstanding attitude to improve.

KYNAN ISAAC - DEFENDER With Reading as a youth before joining Oxford City in February 2011. Had been playing for North Leigh last season prior to returning to Banbury.

LEWIS WILSON - DEFENDER An experienced player having played for Northampton Town, Macclesfield Town, Kettering Town and Oxford City. An exceptionally versatile player, equally comfortable in defence, midfield or as a striker.

Was a key member of the highly successful League cup winning side in the 18/19 season.

DAN VANN - DEFENDER Joined from Walsall last season. All action versatile defender.

JACK TURNER - CENTRAL DEFENDER Cardiff-born centre-back Jack spent eight years on the books at Championship side Bristol City. He captained the under-16 and under-18 sides. After leaving the Robins, he went to Loughborough University and played for the university side in the United Counties League Premier Division. Signed for National League North side Kettering Town in October 2020.

JORDAN WILLIAMS - CENTRAL DEFENDER Commanding, cultured centre half. Previous clubs include; Brackley Town, Cambridge United and Birmingham City. Was a key member of our League cup winning, and playoff making team in the 18/19 season.

MICHAEL O’REGAN - DEFENDER The versatile young defender started out in the Stratford Town Colts and played right through the age ranges. Successful youth team player who has also graduated from our Academy programme.

SIMEON OKORO - DEFENDER Graduate from the University of Virginia in the United States. Played professionally in Cyprus for Ethnikos Assia from August 2020 until May 2021. More recently, he has been turning out for G.N.G Oadby Town in the United Counties League Premier Division South.

BAILEY AISTHORPE - DEFENDER Very promising defender joined Stratford Town on loan from Leicester City.

PAUL FIELD - DEFENDER Athletic wide player who joined the club from Loughborough University, having previously had a spell with Stevenage Borough.

JIMMY FRY - MIDFIELD Hugely popular Jimmy played a major part in the club’s record breaking 18-19 season which saw us reach the Southern Premier league play offs and win the prestigious Southern League Challenge Cup.

WILL DAWES - ATTACKING MIDFLED Signed on a two-year scholarship by League Two side Cheltenham Town after starting out with Hellenic League Premier Division side Tuffley Rovers. Then moved to Loughborough University to study maths and played for their side in UCL Premier Division, scoring 12 goals in 32 games.

WILL GROCOTT - MIDFIELD Classy, creative midfielder with an eye for goal. Previous clubs include Aston Villa, Tamworth, KW Utd (Canada), Rugby Town, Kettering Town & Stourbridge.

DAN LAFFERTY - MIDFIELD Played for Championship side Coventry City during the 2020/21 campaign. The third-year scholar had been with the Sky Blues since a young age and progressed to become a regular in the under-18s.

Showed determination to recover from serious injury and feature for the under 23’s last season.

CAINE ELLIOTT - MIDFIELD Previously played for Stratford Town youth team before joining the Rugby Town academy. Progressed through the ranks and played for Rugby Town in United Counties League Premier Division South.

ASH SAMMONS - MIDFIELD Represented England at under 17, 18 & 19. Ball playing centre midfielder. Previous clubs include Solihull Moors, Birmingham City and most recently Halesowen Town.

ROSS OULTON - MIDFIELD All-action midfielder was part of the Bards history-making squad of 2018/19 season when he helped to win the Southern League Cup and finish in a club-record high league position of fifth, making the playoffs in the process. Started his career with Northampton Town and also had stints at Leamington, Barwell, Brackley Town, Rugby Town, Banbury United, Kettering Town and Bedford Town.

OWEN JAMES - FORWARD Played for MK Dons before joining Oxford United, making one senior appearance. Spent time on loan with Chalfont in 2019/20 and also had temporary stints with Oxford City and Bracknell Town.

JACK STORER - FORWARD Previously played for Stevenage, for whom he made his debut in the Football League, Birmingham City, and on loan to Yeovil Town, Gloucester City, Solihull Moors, Partick Thistle and Redditch United.

BRENNAN DENNESS-BENNETT - FORWARD Speedy attacker was named as a substitute for Cheltenham Town’s in the Papa John's Trophy in August 2021. The under-18s second year scholar is an attack-minded midfielder, who joined Stratford Town on loan, started his scholarship at Cheltenham Town in the summer of 2020.

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Joe Welch Ryan Easley

Daniel Brathwaite Katherine Thompson

Ed James Brighton Asafu-Adjaye Kelshall Jake Easley Plastics

Brandon Adams Martin Pendrick Royston Plastering

Isa Rotimi Martin Pendrick

Ronnie Henry David Gray

Adam Murray Jeff Gill

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Matt Bateman DFM Matt Clowery

Marcus Goldbourne AVAILABLE

Spyros Mentis Mick & Enid Toovey

Isaac Galliford

Dan Newton Graham Haggar

Carl Mensah

Tom Newman Clive Middlemass

Steve Castle

AVAILABLE

Steve Tuck

AVAILABLE

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

Dimi Kyriatzis AVAILABLE

Finley Titchmarsh AVAILABLE

Fred Brown AVAILABLE

Rhamar Garret-Douglas AVAILABLE

Sponsorship available from

£150

per season

Dan Green

Makai Murray

Chris Watters

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

Contact ALAN BARLOW for details

SQUADS Saturday 9th April 2022 Kick Off: 3PM TODAY'S MATCH SPONSOR:

TODAYS OFFICIALS REFEREE: Daniel Todd ASSISTANTS: Thomas Burns, Vitali Burnus

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Joe Welch (GK) Ed Asafu-Adjaye Daniel Brathwaite Carl Mensah Adam Murray (c) Ronnie Henry Finley Titchmarsh Devonte Aransibia Brandon Adams Matt Bateman Isaac Galliford Tom Newman Dimitrios Kyriatzis (GK) James Brighton Brooklyn Ilunga Isa Rotimi Makai Murray Dan Green Spyros Mentis Dan Newton Marcus Goldbourne Rhamar Garrett-Douglas

Steve Castle / Chris Watters Scott Taylor / Amber Murray

Liam O’Brien (GK) Kynan Isaac Lewis Wilson Dan Vann Jack Turner Jordan Williams Joe Magunda Will Grocott Owen James Jack Storer Jimmy Fry Will Dawes Dan Lafferty Michael O’Regan Caine Elliott Simeon Okoro Bailey Aisthorpe Ash Sammons Paul Field Ross Oulton Brennan Denness-Bennett Louis Beresford (GK) MANAGERS SPORTS THERAPISTS

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Ian King / Jon Hill Amanada Sibanda